Six health benefits of playing golf

If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to get fit and healthy in 2020, then you may have thought about hitting the gym, playing tennis or even jogging.

But have you thought about the health benefits of playing a round of golf every week? Here at the Barbados Golf Club our team understands the benefits of playing golf on a regular basis.

And it’s not just good for your physical health. Regular rounds of golf with friends bring a range of other benefits too.

So what are the health benefits of playing golf on a regular basis?

1 Physical fitness

Golf provides moderately intense physical activity with walking (yes, it can be done here at Barbados Golf Club during our Twilight rounds), carrying your bag and swinging. When you walk and carry your bag for 18 holes you’ll walk four miles or so and burn 1,500 calories – which is more than half the recommended calorie intake for a male golfer. And considerably more than a 30-minute gym session.

The result of playing is an increase in your heart rate and blood flow, enhanced brain stimulation and balance. Evidence shows that this reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke and improves strength and balance.

Indeed, one of the most appreciated benefits of playing golf is increased life expectancy! And it’s not hard to see why. Playing two rounds a week is a good way to meet the minimum exercise requirements for a healthy lifestyle.

And you don’t have to play to enjoy the benefits. Spectators at tournaments take more than 7,500 to 10,000 steps when watching.

“Golf doesn’t just add years to your life; it can also add life to your years.” Golf and Health Project

2 Weight loss

Of course by being more physical, you will lose weight simply by increasing the number of steps that you take during a four to five hour round. Don’t forget to keep topping up your hydration and slap on the sunscreen though.

3 Improved sleep

Fresh air, our humid conditions here in Barbados and the exercise will improve your sleep patterns too.

4 Improve your mind

Studies have shown that playing golf in such a wonderful location like the Barbados Golf Club, exercise and fresh air benefits your mental well-being. This is all down those endorphins and serotonin hormones, which when released during a round of golf, improve your confidence and reduce anxiety and stress.

Golf also improves your mental alertness. The game is notoriously easy to learn but impossible to master, and you need to have all your whit about you when you play.

5 Improve your social life

OK so this might not directly improve your physical health, but the social side of golf brings its own benefits. Spend time with old friends, make new friends, join in a tournament and challenge yourself. All of this will lead to improvements in your interpersonal skills, happiness and emotional well-being.

6 Improve your brain

An unexpected benefit from playing golf is the improvements to your brain function. How? Well, playing golf requires concentration and memory so playing regularly will help reduce cognitive decline.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

Interested in playing regularly at Barbados Golf Club? If so, we have a couple of options for you. You can simply pay and play with our great value green fees. We also have some great special offers that might be of interest.

Alternatively, have you thought about membership? There are plenty of benefits of Barbados Golf Club membership – and it is great value for money too. Simply pop into the club and meet with the team who will provide further information.

So make sure that you keep your New Year’s Resolutions this year and head to the Barbados Golf Club with your friends and family. You’ll be healthier and happier as a result.

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